I so look forward to my winter collaborations with Gap. They mark the start of the festive season, sweater weather and fun memories with lovely families, many of whom who have become good friends.

This year, we took Gap's much-loved crazy stripes in to some scenes in Dubai's rich, diverse, crazy city, modelled by three very cool families. There were too many photos to ram in to one post, so here's Kathryns. But be sure to check out Hyku's [LINK] and Meredith's [LINK].

Kathryn Hawkes from House of Hawkes interiors blog (there goes your evening's browsing, pin away!) and her son Ethan (8) and daughter, Katie (6) were perfect models on our abra cruise down the Dubai creek. The South African family, best known for Kathryn's scandi-inspired interiors style, have lived in Dubai (round the corner from me now actually!) for 11 years.

Photos by DW Studios

Get your stripe on at Gap this winter!

"We always try to spend Christmas in Dubai. Weather wise, it’s the most amazing time the year and it seems a shame to miss out on of any of it. My mom arrives soon and will be staying until after Christmas so there is great excitement around here - ‘Ouma’ never arrives empty-handed so I guess Christmas will be coming early for the smalls." _ Kathryn

"I’ve always had a serious passion for interiors, and after having my two kids in fairly close succession, I decided to take a break from working to be at home with them. Many, many hours were spent on interior design blogs during that time. One day a friend of mine suggested that I start my own blog to share my decor finds and inspiration... and I suddenly wondered why I hadn’t thought of that myself. Soon afterwards, House of Hawkes was live. The rest is history." - Kathryn

"Having been here for over a decade, we feel we have watching the city evolve around us. We love living in the meadows. Nothing beats waking up to bird song every day." - Kathryn

Sapphire haired, Hyku Desasto is another mum I've been stalking on social media for some time. I've followed her small and cool to big brand photography work through mutual friends and I was over the moon when I found out she has a son.

Her colourful and off-the-wall style makes her a perfect Gap 'crazy stripes' model and her gorgeous family, including her husband, Jess, son, Vittorio (8) and even her parents, who also live in Dubai, nailed their festive colourful looks at the Citywalk graffiti walls shoot.

Hyku's definitely one to watch. As well as a busy commercial photography studio, her talent and personal style has also got her noticed by a few urban brands who have sought use of her image and story in in regional campaigns recently.

Originally from the Philippines, the family now lives in Discovery Gardens, where she finds peaceful escape from her busy 'work hard, party hard' professional schedule.

Here she is in her colourful, creative, busy mum glory...

Photos by DW Studios

"Last year, we were at Georgia experiencing the family's first white christmas. My father had a big operation this year so we won't be able to travel. We'll keep it simple, have our traditional Noche Buena by midnight with ham and cheese and for lunch, we'll have a mix of the English and Filipino culture by having turkey and roasted pork on our table and invite some of our family and friends to come." - Hyku

"I grew up with photography. My father was a journalist, cameraman, segment writer, reporter, you name, he's done it. When I was younger, he would always bring me to his shoots and editing sessions which exposed me to the career path that I have now.

"I used to work as a portraits photographer when I first arrived in Dubai. Then I moved on as a freelance photographer. It was hard in the beginning as I didn't know anyone in the industry but all I could think of was there was only way but up and no looking back that helped be my drive to work harder. Fast forward to now, we have opened up our office and hired a team of photographers and videographers in our new team. We have a mantra of work hard, play hard. During the events season, it can really be hectic, but we make sure we always have time for fun and deliver all of our jobs on time with high quality." - Hyku

Oh this bunch are an easy photoshoot. Meredith Damouni has FOUR kids!! Two older ones (Wolfgang 14 and Leila 11) and two bubbas (Ryder 3 and Renzo 1). I've already featured her on here, as a she's a total star mum who co-founded one of the City's fave photography studios, Capital D with her husband Ayad, where she also edits their fashion mag', D Journal and more recently launched their consumer photography business, DW Studios (who shot this Gap Crazy Stripes series).

A confident, vibrant, happy loved up unit, they were an obvious choice to model Gap's festive stripy looks in a typically Dubai spot. The Damounis got theirs on out in the real life Arabian desert.

The fam' will be home in Dubai, where they've been based over 12 years, over the holidays and you can guarantee it will be a big, loud, fun, social one!

How could you not to feel the holidays love and warmth from this Crazy Stripes squad Thanks for the festive colour party Gap and happy Holidays everyone! xxx

Follow for more on @therealmrsdamouni and @DW_Studios
Photos by DW Studios